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Oklahoma Sooners running back Trey Sermon (4) rushes up the field during the second half of play at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Saturday, October 6, 2018. Texas Longhorns defeated Oklahoma Sooners 48-45. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)

Biggest unanswered question: How will Oklahoma’s new offensive line impact the running game? There aren’t many questions to be asked of Oklahoma’s running backs room in 2019. The Sooners return both Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks, who combined to rush for over 2,000 yards last season. OU also adds one of the top JUCO running backs in the country in Rhamondre Stevenson.

But Oklahoma's success on the ground last year was largely rooted in its experienced offensive line. With four starters upfront headed to the NFL, how will Sermon and Brooks respond? While both have had success, neither has shown the raw talent of Joe Mixon or the power of Samaje Perine. Will that duo be able to produce similar results behind an inexperienced offensive line?

Why 2019 production could be better: More experience. Sermon and Brooks both produced in 2018 but had much experience prior to breaking out last season. Sermon rushed for 744 yards as a true freshman in 2017, but ceded most of his playing time to Rodney Anderson over the last half of that season. When Anderson went down, Sermon stepped up. Brooks showed flashes early on before taking over for a stretch while Sermon dealt with an injury of his own.

Heading into this season, both running backs have enough experience to inspire confidence going forward. And with an offensive line that’s replacing four of five starters, that could be very important to Oklahoma’s running game.

Why 2019 production could be worse: Troubles upfront. Sermon and Brooks enjoyed wide running lanes a year ago, and it remains to be seen whether or not they will have that luxury going forward. Center Creed Humphrey is back this season, but Oklahoma will have new players at both tackle and guard positions. Not to mention Oklahoma is replacing quarterback Kyler Murray, whose threat to run or pass also probably helped open up some of wide running lanes.

Oklahoma’s incoming offensive line is talented, so it likely won’t struggle for long, if at all. But there could be some growing pains that cause a slow start for Sermon and Brooks.

Overall outlook: Overall, this is perhaps Oklahoma’s most experienced position group heading into 2019. Sermon and Brooks are two of the Big 12’s top three returning rushers from a year ago and could carry a bigger load going forward without Murray’s passing ability.

Supplementing that duo are a trio of capable backs: TJ Pledger, Marcus Major and JUCO transfer Rhamondre Stevenson. Major seems primed for a redshirt year given the depth OU has, but expect to still see him in the allotted four games. Stevenson was one of the top JUCO running backs in the country for this cycle and could play a large role for the Sooners if he’s needed.